Weather Manipulation

raighn

I'm getting close to reaching level 40 on my weather manipulator, and I'm wanting to change up her build... Mostly because it's turned into me spamming Lightning Arc causing her build to feel like a much weaker version of my Electricity character... and secondly because her current powers feel more "these are the strongest in the set" and less "weather manipulator" than I would like...

So I have a challenge for you:
Create me a new build using the following base that pulls from Wind, Electric, Ice, & maybe Force, without using Lightning Arc, and make it feel like a weather manipulator.

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name: Sayori

Archetype: Freeform

Super Stats:
Level 6: Intelligence (Primary)
Level 10:
Level 15:

Talents:
Level 1:
Level 6:
Level 9:
Level 12:
Level 15:
Level 18:
Level 21:

Powers:
Level 1: Wind Lash
Level 1: Stormbringer (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6:
Level 8: Ice Shield
Level 11: Ice Sheath
Level 14: Electric Sheath
Level 17: Conviction
Level 20:
Level 23:
Level 26:
Level 29:
Level 32:
Level 35:
Level 38:

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Electro Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Acrobatics (Versatility)

Specializations:
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Tactician (2/2)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)

My personal ideas on how her build should work are as follows though:
Wind should be her primary form of attack and the source of her AoEs
Electricity should be either utility, spike damage, and/or boss killer... most likely the source of her single target attacks
Ice should be defensive and utility
Force is questionable as to if it can reasonably fit her theme... but would fill a role similar to ice.

The more I can keep her out of melee range the better as well...

Note: the new build will be applied at level 40 so don't worry about making it a leveling build

flowcyto

Well, the only other good ST dps options in Elec are Gigabolt and LStorm- and both are costly AoEs. Sparkstorm toggle requires melee range, as does Hurricane.

Sooo.. yeah, that kinda guts some of the building potential. Regardless, here's a stab at it:

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Super Stats:
Level 6: Intelligence (Primary)
Level 10: Endurance (Secondary)
Level 15: Constitution (Secondary)

Talents:
Level 1: The Glacier
Level 6: Healthy Mind
Level 9: Boundless Reserves
Level 12: Investigator
Level 15: Quick Recovery
Level 18: Negotiator
Level 21: Amazing Stamina

Powers:
Level 1: Wind Lash
Level 1: Gust (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Stormbringer (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Wind Reverberation
Level 11: Concentration
Level 14: Force Shield (Rank 2, Force Sheathe)
Level 17: Ice Cage (Sub-Zero Cellblock)
Level 20: Typhoon (Rank 2, Rank 3, Ionic Discharge)
Level 23: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 26: Thunderstrike (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Masterful Dodge
Level 32: Electric Sheath (Rank 2, Matter – Energy Union)
Level 35: Ice Sheath (Rank 2)
Level 38:

Travel Powers:
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations:
Intelligence: Preparation (2/2)
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
Avenger: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Avenger: Preemptive Strike (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Offensive Expertise (2/2)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Mastery: Intelligence Mastery (1/1)

AoE here is using Typhoon and TStrike. ST dmg is mostly in alternating between Gust and Typhoon charges- using TStrike as ya feel like it. Ball of Lightning could replace TStrike if ur so inclined. Both AOs are good to rotate as ya see fit.

You'd prob have to do some end building to afford Typhoon charges and the Elec cd power, but w/ good End/Rec that shouldn't be too much of a problem. If ya dun want to end build as much then ya can always get CoAP w/ some Rec, though that's in Sorcery and binds ya to a circle for energy. Or consider getting get a aggro drop for the last power.

Gearing for this would be mostly for Int- w/ some End, Dex, and Rec on the side.

raighn

I've been enjoying using Ball Lightning in combination with Dust Devil these past couple levels to break away from my usual Lightning Arc spam... and those two powers together have actually been getting the feel I wanted for her... creating and controlling a storm in combat...

I think I would like to keep those 2 powers in her build... maybe use MSA as her EU since I'll be using those 2 CDs frequently... I actually wouldn't be to opposed to a build comprised almost entirely of CD abilities on her...

raighn

I keep logging into her every few days only to find her sitting in the powerhouse with a completely blank build at level 40 >.< So... I thought I might revive this thread to see about finalizing a build for her...

All that I know for certain with her build:

Must include Dust Devil & Ball Lightning
Stormbringer Passive.
Build comprised of Wind, Electric, & Ice powers with an over-all weather manipulation theme.
Lightning Storm & Thunderstrike are acceptable powers for her. As is Hurricane & Snowstorm.
I DO NOT want her to use Lightning Arc, Gigabolt, Typhoon, or Ice Blast...

Powers that don't emenate from her fit her concept far better since they give a greater feeling of manipulating weather. If possible, I'd like to only have her EB emenate from her... Since she's already level 40, the order for powers is not important (besides meeting prerequisites). So if her build has to be front loaded with non-attacks to keep within parameters then thats perfectly fine.

flowcyto

Well, the problem w/ many DoT-based cd powers is that they are crit-disabled and/or don't proc Concentration on their own (since many are considered separate entities), so you'd still want some normal attacks in there.

Ya have many options for attack cycles, even w/in the parameters given. I guess I can give an example, using Avenger's Preemptive Strike for a Gust -> Thunderstrike cycle (between using the summons, ofc), RA for the maintains, and just as an alternative playstyle to using the standard Guardicator:

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Super Stats:
Level 6: Intelligence (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Endurance (Secondary)

Talents:
Level 1: The Glacier
Level 6: Field Ops Training
Level 9: Healthy Mind
Level 12: Boundless Reserves
Level 15: Investigator
Level 18: Quick Recovery
Level 21: Negotiator

Powers:
Level 1: Ice Shards
Level 1: Gust (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Stormbringer (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Concentration
Level 11: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Molecular Self-Assembly
Level 17: Whirlwind (Vortex)
Level 20: Avalanche (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Dust Devil (Rank 2, Triple Threat)
Level 26: Ball Lightning (Rank 2, Triplicity)
Level 29: Masterful Dodge
Level 32: Thunderstrike (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Palliate (Absolve)
Level 38: Ego Surge (Nimble Mind)

Travel Powers:
Level 6:
Level 35:

Specializations:
Intelligence: Preparation (2/2)
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
Avenger: Relentless Assault (2/3)
Avenger: Preemptive Strike (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (3/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (2/3)
Mastery: Avenger Mastery (1/1)

Whirlwind isn't great dps, but its Vortex can help keep mobs clumped for tight AoEs like Avalanche or Lightning Storm. I included that here just for variety, but its ofc not essential to the build.

raighn

As much as I wanted some ice powers in her build... i've come to realize the only one that really fits her theme is Snowstorm... and it's damage is just far too low to be worthwhile... I used your build as a basis and this is what I came up with...

PowerHouse (Link to this build)

Name:

Archetype: Freeform

Super Stats:
Level 6: Intelligence (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Endurance (Secondary)

Talents:
Level 1: The Glacier
Level 6: Field Ops Training
Level 9: Healthy Mind
Level 12: Boundless Reserves
Level 15: Investigator
Level 18: Quick Recovery
Level 21: Negotiator

Powers:
Level 1: Electric Bolt
Level 1: Gust (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 6: Stormbringer (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 8: Concentration
Level 11: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Ionic Reverberation
Level 17: Whirlwind (Vortex)
Level 20: Lightning Storm (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Dust Devil (Rank 2, Triple Threat)
Level 26: Ball Lightning (Rank 2, Triplicity)
Level 29: Electric Shield
Level 32: Thunderstrike (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Electric Sheath
Level 38: Ice Sheath

Travel Powers:
Level 6: Acrobatics (Rank 2, Rank 3, Versatility)
Level 35: Electro Flight (Rank 2, Rank 3)

Specializations:
Intelligence: Preparation (2/2)
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Avenger: Ruthless (2/2)
Avenger: Round 'em Up (3/3)
Avenger: Relentless Assault (2/3)
Avenger: Preemptive Strike (3/3)
Vindicator: Aggressive Stance (2/2)
Vindicator: Merciless (3/3)
Vindicator: Focused Strikes (2/3)
Vindicator: Mass Destruction (3/3)
Mastery: Intelligence Mastery (1/1)

Opted for Electric Bolts over Ice shards, for the higher energy return should I need to use my EB in combat... swapped Avalanche for Lightning Storm to keep more in theme... that also resulted in changing from MSA to Ionic Reverb, after a little testing I found my energy management was far better with Ionic Reverb than MSA despite having over 3x as much Int than End or Rec with my current gear...

flowcyto

Yeah w/ more Electricity moves I would opt for Ionic Reverb over MSA here as well. I figured you'd want End SS'd anyways since the large energy reserves help ya cast high-energy instants like Ball of Lightning and Dust Devil more, plus its better for things like Lightning Storm and TStrike charges.

raighn

Now I just got to get her properly geared so that she can actually have that high End... honestly though I'm kinda surprised by how well Ionic Reverb is working with only 67 End & Rec compared to MSA with 220 Int... With her current gear I can start up an attack chain and only ever have to energy build every 3rd Dust Devil + Ball Lightning activation... beyond that I can keep Lightning Storm up indefinitely and toss out an occasional Thunderstrike to insure NI on targets with little hassle... with MSA I had to energy build in the middle of Lightning Storm maintains, rarely had the energy for Thunderstrike unless I energy built for it or stop attacking and waited for MSA, and nearly every activation of Dust Devil & Ball Lightning required energy building... I think I made the right move going with more electric powers and Ionic Reverb all things considered... and with proper gear those occasional needs to energy build will likely become non-existent...